Transmission



April 25, 1950 5E. WEMP 2,505,449

' TRANSMISSION Filed June 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l FIRST DIRECT THIRD INVENTOR. Erneaf E. Wemp E. E. WEMP.

TRANSMISSION April 25, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1945 Till/III INVENTOR. E/"neJf E. WEm/D April 25, 1950 E. E. WEMP "2,505,449

TRANSMISSION 7 Filed June 23, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIE-r. r5.

FIE-.11- FIE-.12.

IN V EN TOR. ErneJf E. Wemp April 25, 1950 E. E. WEMP 2,505,449

TRANSMISSION Filed June 23, 1945 4 Shets-Sheet 4 W W ca;

INVENTOR. Ernesf E. Wpmp Patented Apr. 25, 1950 ES PATENT o Pr ce TRANSMISSION Ernest E. Wemp, Detroit, Mich, assignor of five per cent to Eleanor May Wemp, Los Angeles, Calif.; live per cent to Leah Kathleen Smith; five per cent to Clyde J. Smith, and twenty per cent to Lila'A. Wemp, all of Detroit, Mich.

Application June 23,1945, SerialNo. 601,111

- '1 Claims. (Cl. 74-333) 1 This invention relates to a transmission for selectively establishing difierent driving ratios between driving and driven members- The invention is concerned'particularly with a transmission suitable for automotive vehicles although the transmission may be used in other places.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide an improved selective transmission wherein a plurality ofpower coupler units are organized in a single transmission assembly. The power coupler unit referred to is one of the type shownin my co-pending application Serial No. 584,695, filed March 24, 1945, now Patent N0. 2,441,174 issued May 11, 1947. The power coupler embodies dentally engaging parts where, for example, a shift-able coupler member may be moved into and out of dental engagement with line 3 -3 of Fig. 1 illustrating the structure of one of the power couplers.

Fig. 4 is a, developed plan of one of the coupiers illustrating the coupler teeth and some of the blocker mechanism which controls the time when dental engagements are made.

Fig. 5 is a developed plan similar to Fig. 4 illustrating the other power coupler. V

Fig. 6 is an elevational viewv of the blocker element of one of the couplers.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the blocker element of the other coupler.

other elements which normally rotate at different speeds and the operation can be accomplished without otherwise breaking ,or disrupting the power transmission line. In other words, the coupler element may be shifted, for example, out of dental ,engagement with a driving element which rotates at a relatively high R. P. M. into dental engagement with an element which retates at a relatively low R. P. M. and the acts of dentally disengaging and engaging take place substantially when the parts are synchronized. Where the transmission is interposed between the engine andthe traction wheels of a vehicle 'the relative speeds of the transmission parts may be controlled in an easy manner by the engine throttle.

To the end of providing an adequate number of gear ratios, the invention aims to provide a mechanism wherein a plurality of such powerunits are inter-associated and combined in a single transmission mechanism. For example, as shown herein, two power coupling units are organized ina transmission with an otherwise simplified construction employing a minimum number of gears. Four forward speeds for the vehicle and two reverse speeds can be attained. The objects or advantages of the inventionwill be more clearly appreciated as the following detailed description is followed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view taken through a transmission constructed in accordance with the invention showing one of the gear clusters displaced from its normal position for purposes of clearness.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on a smaller scale taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive show the sequence of relative positions of the blocking elements of one coupler. when a shift is made in one direction; Fig. 8 shows a coupled position; Fig. 9 shows an intermediateblocked position; Fig. 10 shows a second intermediate blocked position; Fig. 11 shows a coupled position. I

Fig. 1215 a view illustrating the relative positions of the parts of one coupler when a shift is made in theopposite direction.

. Figs. 13,,14 and 15 are views showing the relative. position of blocking parts of, the second power coupler when a shift is made in one direction; Fig. 13 shows a coupled position; Fig. 14 shows an intermediate blocking position and .Fig. 15 shows the other coupled position.

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are views showing the relatlve position of blocking parts as a shift is made in the opposite direction of the second coupler; Fig. 16 shows an intermediate blocking position; Fig. 17 shows another intermediate blocking position; and Fig. 18 shows a coupled position which is the same as Fig. 13.

As above mentioned, the transmission comprises a plurality of power coupler units organized into a, single assembly and as illustrated herein two power couplers are shown. In Fig. 1 the driving shaft is illustrated at 1. This shaft may be connected to the engine oi an automotive vehicle through the means of a suitable clutch. The transmission housing is generally illustrated at 2 and the shaft I is journalled therein as at 3. A number'of the parts are journalled or piloted upon or in each other through the means of suitable bearings such as anti-friction bearings of the needle roller type. These are shown in Fig. 1 but since such construction is readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, we shall not burden the description herein with a detailed explanation of such construction. Various securing and holding snap rings are also illustrated 'but the illustration speaks for-itself.. The I teeth thereof mesh with the teeth of a gear ll splined to a countershaft l2 which is journailed in the housing at its ends as illustrated at it and Il. The gear I I may be part of a gear cluster and integral with a gear i 5. This gear cluster may be slipped onto the shaft with a spline connection as illustrated and held in position by a snap ring ll situated in cooperating grooves inthe gear cluster and the countershaft. The teeth of gear l5 mesh with the teeth of a gear I! and the gear I! constitutes a coupling element for both power coupiers as will presently appear. The gear I! is gear 25 is coupled to gear 20 the gears 2| and 22 merely operate idly.

Taking up now, for consideration, the power coupler mechanism associated with the gear elements Ill and ii; there is a coupler positioned between these gears and splinedto the enlarged hollow portion of th drive shaft so that it may be shifted axially. These splines are straight in control means is illustrated in Fig. 2 and is in the journalled on the driven shaft as illustrated.

Another gear 20 is journalled on the, driven shaft and it constitutes a coupling element for one of the power couplers.

There is another gear arrangement in the transmission which takes the form of a gear 2| which may be integral with a gear 22 journalled on shaft 23. This shaft is displaced from its normal position as Fig. 1 is viewed so that it can be seen. The teeth of gear 2|, however, are in constant mesh with the teeth of gear 20. The true location of the shaft. 23 may be seen by reference to Fig. 2. Slidably mounted upon the countershaft [2 is a gear 25, the teeth of which may be brought into mesh with the teeth of gear 20 and with the teeth of gear 22. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the gear 25 is in a neutral position. This gear has a circumferential groove 26 and its sliding action may be controlled by a member 21 slidable upon a rod '28, held stabilized by a rod 29 and having a shoe 30 positioned at the groove 26. The sliding movement of member 21 may be controlled by the means of a rocker member 3| journalled in the housing 2 and having an arm 32. connected to the slide member 21. The slide member 21 may be held in any one of the three positions by the means of a suitable detent 33.

Before proceeding with the further description, the several paths of the transmission of torque through the transmission may be traced. In first or low speed, the torque is transmitted through gear III to gear II to the countershaft l2 through gear 25 to gear 20. In the second speed, the torque is transmitted through gear l1, gear l5, countershaft l2, gear '25 to gear 20. In the third speed, the torque is transmitted through gear i0, gear i l, gear' I 5, and gear H. In fourth speed or direct drive, the torque is transmitted directly from the driving shaft l to gear ll to the driven shaft 5. The power couplers function to selectively connect the gears, which are also coupling elements, I0, I! and 20 to the driving and driven shafts. In this connection, gear ll issometimes coupled to the driving shaft and sometimes coupled to the driven shaft and, for direct drive, it

is coupled to both shafts. The power lines with the associated indicia on Fig. 1 illustrates the paths of torque transmission.

For reverse speeds, the gear 25 is shifted into dental engagement with the gear 22. Thereupon the driven shaft 5 is operated in reverse by torque transmitted by the countershaft l2 through gear 25 to gear 22 and through gear 21 to gear 20. When thus coupled in reverse, the countershaft may be connected to the driving shaft I through the gear ill or gear I! as elected, thus providing two reverse ratios. In forward speeds, when the form of a shoe l2 engaging the periphery of the flange and carried by a lever arm 43 mounted on a control rocker shaft 44. Any suitable control means for manual or automatic operation may be connected to the'control rock shaft The fiange is apertured and as shown in Fig. 2, is provided with three of such apertures illustrated at 46.

Mounted over the coupler is a blocking element generally indicated at 50 (Fig. 6). This blocking element has a ring-like body structure at one end with a face 5| which advantageously and preferably is radial, while projecting therefrom are three extensions or fingers 52 which pass through the apertures in the flange. The conpler and the blocking element 50 are slidably and yieldably associated with each other as by the means illustrated in Fig. 3. This means takes the form of an expanding spring 54 positioned in a groove 55 of the coupler and frictionally engaging the inner surfaces of the fingers 52 of the:

One end of the spring is turned outend, the gear III has an extending portion and 4( the engagement is preferably through the means of suitable material for friction purposes, such as the ring mounted upon the gear It. The ring 60 has a conical surface for such engagement as illustrated. The face 5| is for frictional engagement with the gear I! for which purpose a ring of suitable friction material Si is mounted upon the gear I I.

The coupler has two sets of teeth for dental engagement respectively with corresponding teeth on the gears I 0 and H as shown in Fig. 4. One set of teeth is illustrated at 63. As will be noted, these teeth are helically disposed in a left hand manner. The extension on the gear ID has a corresponding set of teeth also helically disposed in a left hand manner for dental engagement with the teeth 63. These teeth are illustrated at 64. Due to the helical disposition of the teeth 63 and 64 they move into dental engagement with a slight relative twisting or screw action between the gear I0 and the coupler 40.

The other set of teeth on the coupler are illus-' blocking shoulders or faces. One face H may' be disposed at about 12 /2" from the plane of rotation as illustrated, while the' other face 12 may be disposed at about 17 /2". On the opposite edge, the finger is provided with a recess 13 with a blocking face 14 advantageously disposed at 5 about 12% and a blocking'face I6 disposed at about 1'I%. The metal of the flange constituting the ends of the slots 4! also constitute blocking faces or shoulders andare respectively indicated at 16 and Il (Fig; 4). These blocking faces on the blocking element 60 engage and prevent movement of the coupler axially under certain conditions, which conditions are those of relative rotation. This can probably be best appreciated by a descriptionof the operation of the power coupler. 1

In Fig. 1 the power coupler which includes the coupler 40 is shown in a neutral position. However, it will be readily appreciated that as it is shifted to the left as Fig. 1 is viewed, the teeth 63 and 64 may be dentally engaged; when the coupler is shiftedto the right the teeth 65 and 66 may be-engaged. Let it be assumed that the teeth 63 and 64 are dentally engaged and let it be assumed later that torque is being transmitted. The torque line extends from the shaft I through the coupler 40 through the dentally engaged teeth 63 and 64, thus driving the gear I and the torque is transmitted from the gear Ill back through the transmission to the driven shaft 5. For this purpose, let it be assumed that the gear 20 is coupled to the shaft 5 in a manner as will presently be described. This then, is a condition which corresponds to first or low speed as above described.

If it is desired, to shift the coupler 40 into position where the teeth 65 and 66 becomedentally engaged, an axial operating forceis applied to the'fiange 4|. Preferably, the arrangement, is such that the combined loads on the splined connection between the shaft I and the coupler 40 and on the dentally engaging teeth 63 and 64 are such that the friction involved prevents shift of the coupler so long as a substantial amount of torque is being delivered. However, as the accelerator on the engine is released to cut the power of the engine the transmission of engine torque to the driven member substantially ceases and the axial load causes the coupler 40 to shift to the right to disengage the teeth 63 and 64. At this moment the coupler is rotating faster than the gear II because the coupler is rotating at engine speed and gear H at a reduced speed due to the reduction provided by gears I I and I5. The left hand helix of the teeth 63 and 64 tend to cause the dental engagement to accept while torque is being transmitted by the engine shaft, the direction of rotation being that as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. Upon torque reversal, however, the helix angle tends to cause the dental engagement of teeth 63 and 64 to reject. As the coupler shifts to disestablish the dental engagement the frictional engagement of spring 54 on the blocker element 50 shifts the blocker element to the right and into frictional engagement with the member 6| This frictional engagement causes the blocker element Silto shift rotatably relative to the coupler to bring blocking agencies into action. When the parts were engaged the relative position of the blocking agencies were as shown inFig. 8. The relative motion reaction shifts the blocking element 50 to a position as demonstrated in Fig. 9 where the blocking element I6 abuts against the blocking face II. This, prevents further movement of the coupler. This condition will be accelerator of the engine or the power of the enginehas been cut and the engine and, therefore the shaft I is decelerating. Normally, the engine will decelerate rapidly and when it passes through the point of synchronization with gear II and begins to rotate slower than gear H the reactionof relative motion is reversed and a condition is set up as shown in Fig. 10. In other maintained so long as this relative motion reac- 1 tion persists, and the coupler is in an intermediate position disengaged from both the gear III and the gear I'I. Normally, this condition will not be maintained for a long period since the words, the blocker element 60 shifts rotatably relative to the coupler 46. The blocking shoulder 11 now abuts the shoulder I4.

This condition will be maintained as long as a condition persists in which the driving member I is rotating slower than the gear II which is about to be dentally engaged. The coupler is still in an intermediate position disengaged from both gear III and gear II. As the accelerator of the engine is depressed and the speed of theengine and the driving shaft I increases the coupler first comes up toa speed substantially in synchronization with the gear I! and then as the coupler tends to overrun the gear II the relative motion reaction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 10, ceases and may even reverse or tend to reverse with the result that the shoulder 'I'I moves out of abutting relationship with the shoulder I4 and the coupler can continue its shift to the right and into dental engagement with the gear II. The relative position of the parts are now as indicated as in Fig. 11. Thus, the dental engagement is established substantially when the coupler and gear I'I become synchronized. Specifically, the

coupling is established just as the coupler starts.

to overrun the gear II. All during this action the gear II has been positively driven by its connection to the driven shaft 5 which may be connected to the traction wheels of the vehicle or to other driven mechanism and the coupler 40 has been connected to the driving shaft I and the engine and, therefore, the parts are under what is termed torque load. This shift in the transmission is obtained by first applying the axial load to the control flange 4| followed by the simple action of releasing the accelerator and then depressing the accelerator. Now, it may be possible that the coupler will not stop in the blocked position shown in Fig. 10 under certain conditions. For instance, suppose the engine is controlled so that the driving member very slowly decelerates while the parts are in the position as shown'in Fig. 9; when the coupler and gear II become substantially synchronized with resultant loss of the relative motion reaction shown in Fig. 9, the differential in speed may be such that the coupler will move with continuous motion through the Fig. 10 position to the coupled position shown in Fig. 11. However, this is a perfectly satisfactory and proper opera tion because the conditions for the establishment of dental engagement are satisfied, namely, substantial synchronization of the two parts about to be dentally engaged. i

Now, let it be assumed that the coupler is about to be shifted from dental engagement with the gear II to dental engagement with the gear III.

First, an axial force is applied to the flange 4I tending to shift the coupler to the left as Fig. 1 is viewed. When the torque of the engine is sufficiently cut the force will shift the coupler to the left and disestablish the dental engagement between teeth and 66. In this connection, the right hand helix of the teeth 65 and 66 tends to reject the coupler teeth upon torque reversal. The friction afforded by the spring 54 shifts the blocker member 50 to the left so that it frictionfally engagesthe surface member 66. moment of disengagement the coupler is rotating slower than the gear l6. According y, there is At the a reaction caused by this relative motion as indicated in Fig. 12 and the blocker member shifts into the position so that the blocking'shoulder l1 abuts the shoulder 15 and thus the coupler is held in an intermediate position disengaged from both gears. This condition will be maintained so long as the driving shaft is rotating slower than the gear [6. The speed of the gear l persists fairly constantly because it is coupled to the traction wheels of the vehicle. As the driving shaft is increased in speed as by means of depressing the engine accelerator it will come up to'the speed of the gear l0 and as it tends to overrun the same the relative motion reaction as shown in Fig. 12 is lost or reversed with the result that the shoul- -der Tl moves over the abutment I5 and the coupler shifts to cause dental engagement between the teeth 63 and 64. This takes place when there is a substantial synchronization between the coupler and the gear.

The purpose of having the dentally engaging teeth disposed helically is to provide for movement of the coupler into and out of dental engagement through an interval of time. The coupler shifts onthe straight splines on the driving shaft; the dental engagement with the teeth 64 and teeth 66 takes place as the coupler tends to overrun the respective gears. Thus, there is relative rotational movement between. the coupler and the gear being dentally engaged and a full torque transmitting coupling is not made until the coupler completes its axial movement and stops.

It will be noted that the blocking surfaces ll, 12, 14 and 15 are angularly disposed and that the surfaces 12 and 15 are not so abrupt as the surfaces 1| and 14. When the parts are in blocking position, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, they are held in such position by the relative motion reaction incident to the friction between face SI and element 6 I Inasmuch as the angles are relatively steep the frictional action need be relatively light and thus the radial friction faces 5| and 6| suffice. Indeed, these two blocking faces may be perpendicular to the axis although some anguiarity makes for easing the motion as the blocking action is discontinued thus facilitating movement of the shoulders 16 and 11 over the blocking surfaces. In the opposite shift where a blocking action takes place as shown in Fig. 12, the abutment shoulder I'I is against the blocking surface 15 which is not so steep and it takes more friction to maintain the relative motion reaction and thus the conical friction face of the member 60 is preferred. If the driving member i and, therefore, the coupler should become freed of the engine it can be relatively easily oscillated and the angle of the surface I5 is such that the axial force on the coupler may shift the shoulder 11 over the angular face 15 with cam action causing relative rocking of the coupler and driving member I so as to provide dental engagement between the teeth 63 and 64. Thus a coupling will be established if the engine stops and the shaft i is freed from the engine as by means, for example, of an automatic clutch. In making the shift of the coupler to the left as Fig. 12 is viewed the blocking face 12 will not function. This is because the relative motion reaction is in the direction of the arrow and the coupler moves past the fac 12.

The othe power coupler is of similar construcmam ' pler and blocking element are frictionally associated through the means of a spring and the structure is like that shown in Fig. 3. The blocking element is to frictionally engage the gear I! and the gear 20 as it is frictionally urged to the right or to the left by the spring 96 incident to shift of the coupler 80, and this is accomplished by suitable friction material. The coupler 80 may be shifted by control means similar to the means 42, 43, and 44 for shifting the coupler 46 as shown in Fig. 2. Accordingly, there is a ring of suitable friction material 9| on the gear I! and a ring of friction material 62 on the gear 20. As shown herein the structure is such that the frictional engagement is through conical surfaces. Needless to say the friction rings in all cases may be placed upon the blocking elements instead of the several gear elements.

The blocking elements of the second power coupler are of the same nature as the blocking elements previously described except that they are reversed. There is a blocking projection 95 with two blocking faces 96 and 81 for engaging the blocking shoulder 98 constituted by the end wall of 00' the slot in the flange 81. On the opposite side of each finger is a notch having a blocking face I00 and a blocking face IUI for cooperation with the blocking shoulder I02.

It will be noted that in this power coupling, the coupler 80 is mounted upon the driven member 5 and that the gear elements I! and 20 become driving members with respect to the coupler 80. When the teeth iii and 82 are in dental engagement the blocking elements are in a relative position as shown in Fig. 13. When an axial force to the right is placed upon the coupler and the engine torque is cut, the coupler moves to the right and disengages the teeth BI and 82. At this moment, the coupler is rotating at the speed of the element I! which is faster than the rotation of the element 26. The frictional engagement with the member 92 establishes a relative motion reaction in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 14 and this brings the abutment face I00 into blocking position relative to the abutment I02. As the engine is accelerated the speed of rotation of the gear 20 increases and as it starts to overrun the shaft 5 and the coupler 80 the relative motion reaction is lost or reverses thus releasing the blocking action between the blocking shoulder I00 and blocking shoulder I02 so that the coupler may complete its movement to the right and engage the teeth 63 and 84 substantially at the time of synchronization.

In shifting the coupler 8!! from a position of engagement with the element 20 to engagement ment 85 with the facing 9| establishes a relative.

motion reaction as shown in Fig. 16. This positions the blocking shoulder 91 in blocking position arcane until the member I! underruns the blocker element l and this reverses the relative motion reaction to a condition as shown in Fig. 17 so that the shoulder I02 is blocked by shoulder III I. Now,

upon acceleration of the engine and, therefore,

the coupler element I! the relative motion, reaction is again'reversed just as the member I! tends to overrun the coupler 8'0 and the coupler continues its movement and the teeth 8i and 82 become dentally engaged substantially at the time to the extent that it is constantly geared of synchronization. The blocking parts are now relatively positioned as shown inFig. 18. The

blocking. faces 96, 91, I00 and IIII are preferably all of the type which will permit the coupler to move over the same by cam action when the parts are not under load. For example, in shifting the coupler from the position of dental engagement withthe gear into dental engagement with the gear IT, as represented by Figs. 15 to 18 inclusive,the coupler 40 may be in disengaged position. Therefore, the gear I! is not coupled to the engine. To the contrary, the gear II, the gear I5, the gear II and the gear I0 are free. Accordingly, theaxial thrust on the coupler, if the parts be in the Fig. 16 position, will cause the shoulder 88 to ride over the shoulder 91 by cam action, thus rocking the blocker 85 and the gear I I as well as the other free gears connected togear II. The same action occurs if the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 12, to the end that the coupler will shift over shoulder IIII by cam action. i

It mayfurther be stated that while dental engagement takes place substantially at synchronization the actual action of the teeth moving into engagement with each other takes place during a slight overrunnlng action of, one member relative to the other. The overrunning action aids in shifting the parts into dental engagement due to the helix of the teeth and a torque transmitting coupling is not fully established until axial movement of the coupler ceases thus stopping further overrunning action. In the use of the transmission, four forward speeds can be obtained as above pointed out. When in first or low speed the coupler 40 is shifted to the left, as Fig. 1 is viewed, into dental engagement with the gear element III and the coupler 80 is shifted to the right into dental engagement with the gear element 20. The torque is now transmitted through the following path: drive member I, coupler 40, gear I0, gear II, countershaft I2, gear 25, gear 20, coupler 80 to driven shaft 5. For second speed, a single shift is required, namely, that of shifting the coupler 40 from its engagement with gear Ill into engagement with gear I1. The torque is now transmitted in the following path: drive shaft I, coupler 40, gear I'I, gear I5, countershait I2, gear 25, gear 20, coupler'BII to driven shaft 5.

For third speed forward, both couplers 4D and "are shifted to the left and into alignment with the gear III and gear I1 respectively. The torque isnow transmitted through the following path:

drive shaft I, coupler 40, gear III, gear II, gear I5, gear I1, coupler 80 to driven shaft 5. For fourth or direct speed, the coupler II is shifted to the right and into engagement with gear II.

, The torque is now transmitted through the following path: drive shaft I coupler ll, gear I1, coupler H 580, to driven shaft 5. For purposes of brevity, the elements l0, l1 and 20 have been termed gears.

They are in reality both gears and coupling elemerits. In fact, in direct drive the gear I1 serves only as a coupler element and not as a gear except to the gear I5. I

It has already been explained how reverse is effected by shifting gear 25 into dental engagement with the gear 22. The torque may be transmitted either through gear III or gear II to the countershaft and thence through gear 25, gear 22, gear 2|, gear 20,'coup1er 80 to drive shaft 5.

I claim: g I '1. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, said shafts being on a common axis, first, second and third gear elements journalled on the axis of the shafts and being spaced apart axially with the second gear element in an intermediate position, a countershaft, gear means on-the countershaft for connecting the first, second and third gear elements for rotation at difierent speeds, a coupler slidably connected to the driving shaft and positioned between the first and second gear elements, a coupler slidably connected to the driven shaft and positioned between the second and third gear elements, the couplers and the ear elements having cooperating teeth for dental engagement and disengaged upon axial shift of the couplers, means for shifting the couplers to selectively establish dental engagement of the teeth to effect different ratios between the driving and driven shafts, two sequentially operating blocking means operative by relative motion reaction and effective on the coupler on the driving shaft as it is shifting from engagement with a gear element of relatively high rotation to engagement with a gear element of relatively low rotation, and two sequentially operating blockingmeans operative by relative motion reaction on the coupler on the driven shaft as the said coupler is moving from engagement with a gear element of relatively low rotation to engagement with a gear element of relatively high rotation.

2. In a transmission, a driving shaft and a driven shaft mounted on a common axis, first, second and third combined gear and coupling elements disposed in axially spaced relationship and each being independently rotatable, gear means for connecting the elements for rotation at different speeds, a coupler slidably connected to the driving shaft between the first and second elements and shiftable axially for selective dental engagement with the first and second elements. a coupler slidably connected to the driven shaft between the second and third elements and shiftable axially for selective dental engagement with the-second and third elements, means for shifting the couplers to dentally engage the same respectively with the first and third elements, with the second and third elements, with the first and second elements, and both with the second eletwo of said elements, each coupler and its 00- ment for establishing as many driving ratios between the driving and driven shafts, and a blocking means for each coupler operable incident to relative motion reaction for providing two sequentially operating blocking actions as each coupler shifts axially, thesecond blocking action for both couplers being released substantially upon, reversal of relative motion reaction for movement of each coupler into dental engagement with one of the elements.

3. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, gearing including axially spaced combined gear and coupling elements for connecting the shafts together at different speed ratios, a plurality of couplers, each slidably connected to a shaft for axial shift and each disposed between 11 operating elements constituting a power coupler adapted to establish a dental coupling while the driving shaft and driven shaft are under torque load, each coupler and its cooperating elements having teeth for dental engagement, the set of teeth for dental engagement with one element being on a left hand helix and a set of teeth for engagement with the other element being on a right hand helix, means for axially shifting the couplings for selective dental engagement with said elements, and two sequentially operating blocking means effective upon each coupler, the first blocking means being operable by relative motion reaction in one direction and the secondblocking means being operative by relative motion reaction in the opposite direction, both of said blocking means being releasable when the relative motion reaction is lost by substantial synchronization of the coupler and the element with which the coupler is about to become dentally engaged.

4. In a transmission, a driven shaft, two driving elements arranged so that one rotates relatively fast and the other relatively slow, the elements having teeth for dental engagement, a coupler having teeth for dental engagement with the elements, said coupler being slidably connected to the driven shaft and shiftable axially for selective dental engagement with the elements, means for applying shifting force to the coupler and two sequentially operating blocking means effective upon the coupler in its movement from dental engagement with the slower rotating element into dental engagement with the faster rotating element, the first acting blocking means being operative by relative motion reaction due to rotation of the coupler at a slower speed than the higher rotating elements, the second acting blocking means being operative by relative motion reaction due to rotation of the higher rotating element at a speed lower than the coupler, both of said blocking means being releasable when the relative motion reaction is lost by the substantial synchronization of the coupler and the faster of the rotating elements.

5. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, first and second axially spaced coupling elements which are driven members with respect to the driving shaft, a third coupling element spaced from the second coupling element, the second and third coupling elements being driving members relative to the driven shaft, said elements adapted for different speeds of rotation, a coupler slidably connected to the driving shaft and positioned between the first and second coupling elements, a coupler slidably connected to the driven shaft and positioned between the second and third elements, the couplers and elements having teeth for dental engagement arranged to be engaged and disengaged upon sliding movement of the couplers, blocking means for the coupler on the driving shaft including blocking shoulders and a blocking element associated with the coupler for frictionally engaging the element toward which it is shifted, said blocking means comprising two sequentially operating blocking shoulders operable by relative motion reaction incident to said frictional engagement and operable upon the coupler as it is shifting from dental engagement with the element of 12 higher rotation to dental engagement with the element of lower rotation, and a similar but reversed blocking means for the coupler on the driven shaft having two sequentially operating blocking shoulders acting upon the coupler as it is shifting from dental engagement with the element of lower rotation to dental engagement with the element of higher rotation.

6. In a transmission, a shaft, a coupler slidably connected to the shaft, two coupling elements disposed on opposite sides of the coupler adapted to be selectively dentally engaged with the coupler, means for shifting the coupler, blocking means including a blocking member for frictionally engaging the element toward which the coupler is shifted for setting up relative motion reaction, said blocker member disposed over the coupler, a spring axially fixed relative to the coupler and expanding into frictional engagement with the blocker member for establishing a frictional connection, said blocker member having axially extending fingers, an axially disposed slot on one of thefingers and one end of the spring being fashioned outwardly and slidably disposed in said slot.

7. In a transmission, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, two driving elements, power transmitting means for transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driving elements so that one element rotates relatively fast and the other element rotates relatively slow, the elements having teeth for dental engagement, a coupler having teeth for dental engagement with the elements, said coupler being slidably connected to the driven shaft and shiftable axially for selective dental engagement with the elements, while the coupler and the elements are under torque load, means for applying shifting force to the coupler and two sequentially operating blocking means effective upon the coupler in its movement from dental engagement with the slower rotating element into dental engagement with the faster rotating element, the first acting blocking means being operative by relative motion reaction due to rotation of the coupler at a slower speed than the higher rotating elements, the second acting blocking means being operative by relative motion reaction due to rotation of the higher rotating element at a speed lower than the coupler, both of said blocking means being releasable when the relative motion reaction is lost by the substantial synchronization of the coupler and the faster of the rotating elements.

, ERNEST E. WEMP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

